Summer Afternoon Enjoying Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha, Wisconsin

Last week, we visited Kenosha for an afternoon and decided to explore Petrifying Springs Park for the first time. Immediately when we arrived, I thought "what has taken us so long?" A balance of tree covered areas and open expanses as well as the lovely Pike River intrigued us. Additionally, quite a few families were enjoying gatherings in various shelters demonstrating how beloved the park is. This is the place to be!

Read More

Exploring Nature and Reveling in Views at Pere Marquette State Park

Pere Marquette State Park provides some of the best hiking trails in Illinois. Nature lovers know Pere Marquette as a spot where bald eagles nest in the winter. However, the preserve provides for a range of nature adventures year round.

Read More

Minnehaha Falls and Chain of Lakes Offer Natural Inspiration in Minneapolis

**Disclosure: Thank you to Visit Roseville for hosting our incredible visit to Roseville, Minnesota! Views are 100% my own.

Our weekend adventure in Roseville, Minnesota was not short on breathtaking nature experiences! Despite the above 100 F temperatures, we were able to take advantage of cooler mornings and evenings to explore. We started one morning by visiting stunning Minnehaha Falls.

Read More

Lake Michigan Serenity at Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Fort Sheridan, Illinois

A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I savored a free day and went exploring. I knew that I wanted water views and to visit somewhere new. We quickly zeroed in on the Openlands Lakeshore Preserve in Fort Sheridan, Illinois. The preserve rests on Lake Michigan treating you to incredible views like this:

Read More

Coral Woods and Festival of the Sugar Maples

Coral Woods Conservation Area in Marengo, Illinois hosts an annual Festival of the Sugar Maples Event each year. With the glorious weather in the Chicago area, we were able to visit today to explore the preserve and learn about maple sugaring.

Read More

Bald Eagle Days and Eagle Watching in the Quad Cities

Eagles at Centennial Bridge image by Stacey Jeffery courtesy of Visit Quad Cities

If you are looking for a winter excursion, January and February provide a prime time to look for bald eagles in the Quad Cities. The number of bald eagles seen in the Quad Cities area has been on the rise, so there definitely is a good chance you will see one!

Read More

Volo Bog in the Fall

All too often we relegate natural spaces to enjoyment just in warmer months. if we forget to revel in our natural spaces throughout the seasons, though, we miss the beauty that comes with change. We also miss nature's processes that occur throughout the year. During the cooler months when fewer venture out, a visit to a natural space allows us to enjoy the stillness. Lack of foliage can uncover treasures masked by the earlier vibrancy of flora.

Read More

Rambling Outdoors at Chain O'Lakes State Park

Perfect weather last weekend inspired to explore a new preserve: Chain O'Lakes State Park in Spring Grove, Illinois. A lovely day is always ripe for adventure, so exploring we did go! We did very little research on Chain O'Lakes before visiting, so we were truly winging it. But, trips without expectations are often the best!

Read More

Family Hike at Starved Rock

Much of Northeastern Illinois is flat. So, the geological formations yielding bluffs and canyons at Starved Rock State Park in Utica provide a unique diversion. The gorgeous weather last weekend yielded us the perfect time for an escape to the natural wonder.

Read More

Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield--Pure Wow!

On Sunday, we opted to stretch our legs somewhere new. For as many times as we quite literally have been in the "neck of the woods," I can't believe we hadn't previously uncovered Ryerson Conservation Area in Deerfield. I mean there are boardwalks--who can pass those up?

Read More

Art Walk Throughout Naperville

Naperville Riverwalk

On its own, the Naperville Riverwalk provides for a charming meander along the DuPage River. While walking along the Riverwalk, you will quickly discover more of Naperville's charm. Threaded throughout the village are works of art including mosaics, statues, reliefs, murals and more. These pieces comprise Naperville's Century Walk, a public art initiative which began in 1996.

Read More

Holiday Lights and Greenhouses at Chicago Botanic Garden

**Disclosure: No compensation was received for this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

One of the things I love about this season is that you can continue the magic of Christmas through New Year's. Many holiday delights don't end immediately on Christmas Day but continue through the week. Of course, this is ideal for families looking for fun ways to capitalize on extra days off during the holiday season. The Chicago Botanic Garden has long been a holiday favorite with it's magical Wonderland Express winding trains through a mini cache of notable Chicago structures and an indoor dusting of snow. However, a walk around the Chicago Botanic Gardens this time of year is worth it even if you skip the Wonderland Express. Last weekend, we took advantage of the warm weather to walk around and I have to say the lights are captivating!

Read More

Tranquil Family Weekend at Little Pond Lodge {New Lisbon, Wisconsin}

Fall is the perfect time for a family getaway to a cabin! For the past year, we had our sights set on spending a weekend in a cabin with dreams of waking up to nature and easing into the evening around a fire pit. As fall approached, we began a search for a little cabin getaway and stumbled on quite a prize: Little Pond Lodge in New Lisbon, Wisconsin!

Read More